Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame dismisses military chiefs in his latest wave of personnel changes

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has dismissed several high-ranking military officers in a recent shake-up of the country’s disciplined forces.

Major General Martin Nzaramba, Colonel Dr Etienne Uwimana, and 19 other senior and junior officers have been dismissed due to misconduct.

In a statement released by the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF), it was announced that the President has authorized the dismissal and contract termination of 195 military personnel from various ranks in the army.

According to Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga, the RDF spokesperson, Maj-Gen Nzaramba was dismissed for engaging in corrupt practices and mishandling funds intended for the well-being of soldiers during his tenure at the Nasho Military Training Institute.

The reason for Col Dr Uwimana’s dismissal was his violation of the military code of conduct and the serious mistakes he made. However, no specific details were provided.

The spokesperson mentioned that there were other individuals who were also terminated due to corruption and various forms of misconduct that went against military regulations.

The dismissals occurred the day after President Kagame held a meeting with the top military officials to address the nation’s security concerns. The meeting details were not disclosed to the media.

RDF has frequently adopted a strict approach towards the behavior of military officers, resulting in the removal of several senior officers. One notable example involved Maj-Gen Aloys Muganga, who was terminated by the force due to his reported excessive alcohol consumption. Brig Gen Francis Mutiganda was dismissed for insubordination in 2023. Approximately 228 soldiers of different ranks had their contracts terminated or were dismissed.

Maj-Gen Nzaramba, another high-ranking military officer who has been dismissed, was retired in August 2023, along with several other senior officers.

It remains unclear how he was dismissed, but it is a common practice for retired officers to continue their work in the reserve forces or in another role.

The RDF code of conduct clearly states that any officer who engages in activities that compromise the integrity of the military profession, such as substance abuse, reckless behavior, or any actions that bring disrepute to the institution, risks facing dismissal.

Instances of serious violations of military values, such as a soldier engaging in acts of corruption, participating in intrigue, or forming factions, can result in dismissal.

Colonel Dr Uwimana, who was among those dismissed, had an extensive service history at Kanombe Military Hospital. He also served as the head of the hospital’s radiology department at one point.